https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Spain in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed Many drivers in Spain wonder if having a camera in your vehicle is legal. These are some rules you need to follow if you want to do it legally and avoid fines, as well as the grey areas. https://www.thelocal.es/20231123/whats-the-law-on-dash-cams-in-spain Thu, 23 Nov 2023 12:41:43 +0100 whats-the-law-on-dash-cams-in-spain Spaniards may prefer to meet friends at bars and restaurants to eat and drink but for many foreigners who are used to barbecuing in their home countries the question remains: is it legal to have a barbecue in your Spanish home? https://www.thelocal.es/20190731/is-it-legal-to-have-a-barbecue-at-home-or-outdoors-in-spain Wed, 31 Jul 2019 08:57:43 +0200 is-it-legal-to-have-a-barbecue-at-home-or-outdoors-in-spain If you're a driver or a pedestrian in Spain, certain crossings will work a little differently starting from this October. Here's what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.es/20260827/explained-how-traffic-lights-will-change-in-spain-in-october Thu, 27 Aug 2026 10:30:08 +0200 explained-how-traffic-lights-will-change-in-spain-in-october Have you ever dreamed of getting your boat licence in Spain and exploring its spectacular coastlines from the water? Here’s how to go about it, from what type of licence you need to how much it will cost you. https://www.thelocal.es/20220810/how-do-i-get-my-boat-licence-in-spain Wed, 10 Aug 2022 17:10:22 +0200 how-do-i-get-my-boat-licence-in-spain This year, Spain’s August 15th public holiday falls on a Saturday, so are there any plans to make Friday 14th or Monday 17th a day off work instead? https://www.thelocal.es/20260813/will-spain-move-the-august-15th-public-holiday-to-another-day Thu, 13 Aug 2026 12:53:28 +0200 will-spain-move-the-august-15th-public-holiday-to-another-day Are you planning on travelling around Spain or to a particular destination for a city break? Or are you thinking of moving to Spain? Either way, you'll want to know how taxis and ride-hailing services work here. https://www.thelocal.es/20260812/qa-what-to-know-about-catching-a-taxi-or-ride-hailing-service-in-spain Wed, 12 Aug 2026 12:12:17 +0200 qa-what-to-know-about-catching-a-taxi-or-ride-hailing-service-in-spain It’s common knowledge that Spain goes on holiday in August, city centres empty out as everyone heads for the slightly cooler coastal or mountainous areas, but which businesses close completely and which will continue open? https://www.thelocal.es/20240724/whats-closed-and-what-stays-open-during-august-in-spain Wed, 24 Jul 2024 09:42:29 +0200 whats-closed-and-what-stays-open-during-august-in-spain Following a recent viral video which shows a group of girls verbally and physically attacking another in Andalusia, we've delved into the subject of school bullying and how bad it is in Spain, including advice for parents. https://www.thelocal.es/20260729/how-bad-is-bullying-in-schools-in-spain Wed, 29 Jul 2026 14:55:34 +0200 how-bad-is-bullying-in-schools-in-spain Spaniards are used to scorching summers and tropical nights, meaning that they're familiar with many ingenious, unwritten rules for making their homes and bodies cool at night so they can sleep better without the need for air-con. https://www.thelocal.es/20260722/twelve-spanish-tricks-to-sleep-better-during-a-heatwave Wed, 22 Jul 2026 11:01:15 +0200 twelve-spanish-tricks-to-sleep-better-during-a-heatwave Whether or not you can smoke in your flat or even on the balcony depends on several different factors and can in some cases come down to the goodwill of your landlord and neighbours. https://www.thelocal.es/20240904/can-my-landlord-stop-me-from-smoking-in-my-rental-in-spain Wed, 04 Sep 2024 12:43:46 +0200 can-my-landlord-stop-me-from-smoking-in-my-rental-in-spain Spain has some of Europe's strictest gun laws but there are many weapons - both legal and illegal - in the country. Here is a breakdown of the rules and reality of gun ownership in Spain. https://www.thelocal.es/20241007/whats-the-law-on-guns-in-spain Mon, 07 Oct 2024 16:22:30 +0200 whats-the-law-on-guns-in-spain If you're a pensioner in Spain, it's worth knowing that there are several benefits available to you, in order to help you out with rising living costs. https://www.thelocal.es/20240618/revealed-five-subsidies-pensioners-in-spain-can-claim Tue, 18 Jun 2024 10:47:26 +0200 revealed-five-subsidies-pensioners-in-spain-can-claim Kids in Spain get around three months of holiday over the summer, but finding childcare options during this time can be challenging for parents, especially if they have to work. So what is available? https://www.thelocal.es/20220607/what-childcare-options-are-available-over-the-summer-in-spain Tue, 07 Jun 2022 09:35:05 +0200 what-childcare-options-are-available-over-the-summer-in-spain There are many types of residents in Spain that don't work for one reason or another, be it that they're pensioners, unemployed, or earn a passive income. Does this mean they are exempt from paying taxes in Spain? https://www.thelocal.es/20231030/do-i-have-to-pay-taxes-in-spain-if-i-dont-work Mon, 30 Oct 2023 13:08:30 +0100 do-i-have-to-pay-taxes-in-spain-if-i-dont-work If you fancy yourself green-fingered or live in an apartment without access to your own outdoor space, you'll find that Spain has many urban gardens and allotments that you can potentially join. https://www.thelocal.es/20220602/how-to-get-involved-with-urban-gardens-in-spain Thu, 02 Jun 2022 09:49:51 +0200 how-to-get-involved-with-urban-gardens-in-spain Looking for online classifieds to buy or sell second-hand items, find housing or local services in Spain? Here's where you can look. https://www.thelocal.es/20260522/whats-the-spanish-version-of-craigslist Fri, 22 May 2026 13:07:18 +0200 whats-the-spanish-version-of-craigslist Spain takes tax fraud very seriously and there can be severe consequences if you're found out. Read on to find out what the fines and possible jail sentences are for tax evasion. https://www.thelocal.es/20221017/tax-evasion-in-spain-what-are-the-penalties-and-prison-sentences Mon, 17 Oct 2022 15:09:51 +0200 tax-evasion-in-spain-what-are-the-penalties-and-prison-sentences We all know that Spanish bureaucracy can be difficult to deal with, but these apps can make it just that little bit easier. https://www.thelocal.es/20260514/10-apps-that-will-help-you-with-bureaucracy-in-spain Thu, 14 May 2026 10:17:48 +0200 10-apps-that-will-help-you-with-bureaucracy-in-spain The challenge of moving to a new country, or even a new city, is how to make new friends and connections. Here are some of the best ways to meet people in Spain. https://www.thelocal.es/20260515/seven-proven-ways-to-help-you-meet-new-people-in-spain Fri, 15 May 2026 11:42:29 +0200 seven-proven-ways-to-help-you-meet-new-people-in-spain Spain is still a rather religious country, so why isn't Ascension Day a public holiday here? https://www.thelocal.es/20230517/why-isnt-ascension-day-a-public-holiday-in-spain Wed, 17 May 2023 17:27:45 +0200 why-isnt-ascension-day-a-public-holiday-in-spain